Childminder is pregnant , can I ask a questions and get opinions... Please.. Sorry a bit long

[Woolleythesheep]

I am a regular mumsnetter but I have namechanged for this as I'm not sure if my CM is a mumsnetter.

My childminder is pregnant and is due in May. She has DD three days a week and has two children of her own One at nursery and anther older child with SEN. She has other mindees on other days

I am very happy with the care she gives DD. She goes to lots of groups and DD loves her and her other children

The childminder has to have a C-section and she is saying she will be ready have DD after two weeks off. I?m very sceptical about this and so is everyone I have spoken to.
I did ask her for example about driving at this time but she said ?oh I was driving 2 weeks after my other section.?

Apparently DD has been part of their plans after the baby is born all along.

Dh and I have pretty much decided that we are gong to make provision for at least 4 weeks care for DD.

(I had a section with DD and did not drive for at least 4 weeks.)

So can I have opinion on this please?

( I did have a private mini freak out when I found out DD was to go along to her scan, but managed to get a friend to collect her (I had to go to London that day) as I was not happy with DD going along. ? If DD is to see a scan it should be with me not the CM.)

Also I do not have a contract with this CM. so would I have to pay maternity leave

You would not have to pay maternity leave as the CM is self-employed.

She is not available to work so therefore you do not have to pay her.

2 weeks is the minimum maternity leave that you legally have to take but if it is a C-section then she shouldnt really be driving or doing heavy lifting until 6 weeks afterwards to avoid rupturing the scar, especially if its her 2nd C section.

I would tell her that you will be finding alternative care for at least those 4 weeks and not to rush back into work as you would rather she could care for your DD properly rather than hurt herself and have to take more time off work.

Check out the No mindees thread to see if anyone can help you out or check FIS for any local childminders who might be willing to take on a temporary contract?

Good luck

think I'd be worried about the insurance for the car. not all insurance companies will insure post cs for 6weeks.

Why do you not have a contract, if she is a registered CM you should have one. If she is not registered I would not use her as there is no insurance if anything every happened.

The fact you don't have a contract rings alarm bells. You are not obliged to pay her anything during her maternity break, she is not your employee, you pay for her services.

I think it sounds nice that they want your dd to be included e.g taking her to a scan but that was probably a bit too personal and at any rate should have talked to you about it and asked you how involved you would like your dd to be. A new life is a great learning experience but maybe one you want to share.

Thank you for your prompt replies.

We should be able to cover the care with DH taking some holiday ,my parents coming down to visit and pulling. in favours from Grandma and various friends

Thanks for the advice on how to phrase it as I would like to get it out in the open sooner rather than later.

It is stuff like the car which bothers me the most DD will be 2.3months so will still need help to geting her car seat.

My friend today pointed out that is CM is unlucky enough to get infections she could be very poorly, and if I made no extra arrangements then I would be stuck.

Working 2 weeks after a section? Madness.

She will probably be entitled to maternity allowance. I agree that it sounds overly optimistic to be working so soon after a cs. Also I don't think it was appropriate for your dd to go to the scan - what if the scan had detected something wrong; the CM would have had to continue looking after your dd while upset/grieving...

Why do you not have a contract??

You won't have to pay her maternity. In fact, if not contract then you don't have to pay anything.

I am taking 2 weeks maternity, unpaid. BUT i am (hopefully) not having a section so should be recovered by 2 weeks, and I on;y work 9 hours a week so it isn't that much. Does she have many children to look after? This will make a huge difference.

Thanks for all your input.

I don't know why we don't have a contract. Possibly because we know each other well but in reality this should mean that there is more reason to have one. Although I would never take advantage of her. I do not know if she has contracts with her other families

Chloemegjess One of my colleagues did the same as you when she was a CM. My CM however has DD for three days ususally 8ish - 4ish and has 2 children on at least one other day. I know she also has a new mindee starting after christmas for one day a week too.

What worries me a little is that I may have to pay her as it will be my decision not to send DD. We have the arrangement that if DD does not go due to our circumstances, DD ill or at home with my parents for example we pay, but if it is due to CMs circumstances holidays etc then we do not pay.

In January, I am going to start looking at pre schools as I feel DD is getting ready for this now and this may mean a change in CM to one slightly nearer home who can manage the pick up.

You should have a contract with her - that rang alarm bells straight away with me!! If you don't have a contract then if anything happens to your child while in her care, her insurance will not cover it (does she have appropriate insurance?). I had a section and was told by the midwife that my motor insurance would be invalid if I drove within 6 weeks of the op - I also couldn't even lift a bag of shopping for weeks afterwards - certainly couldn't have lifted a child 2yrs 3mths!!! I would find another childminder, and make sure you have contracts drawn up. Your current cm can claim maternity allowance for 9mths (provided she's registered with the tax office and paying NI!!). At the end of the day, I think your concerns are relevant - and I, as a parent and a CM, wouldn't have been happy with a child going to a scan - weird!! Your priority is your child - you must do what you feel is right for them!

You have no obligation to stay with her - especially with no contracts! Good luck. X

I can't believe she wants to work after 2 weeks, she wouldn't be able to lift a toddler without risk of rupturing her incision.